COLUMBUS — Keep in mind that Americans scream the loudest, according to the London-based Nova Twins.
That claim came into focus after the summer live music and festival scene officially began May 16 with Sonic Temple in Columbus.
“The screams here are a different kind of pitch – it’s the loudest screams we’ve probably ever heard, to be honest,” said Amy Love, vocalist and guitarist for Nova Twins. “It’s like, high, only dogs can hear that kind of scream, it’s amazing, it’s really impressive.”
Sonic showcased some amazing acts, and here’s the overview of some classic rock and metal, but more of a focus on the next bands that are going to take over the scene that you absolutely need to be following.
Remember kids, it’s always better to say, “I heard about them before they blew up,” as you sip your Miller High Life with pinky finger extended.
“Bob Vylan is killing punk rock,” or so the signage for the band said.
Vylan got the day going shortly after noon and they are definitely on the rise. “We live here” was blasted mid set, and was a sample of the overall progressive themes that the band deals with, like racism, specifically as it relates to being black in England.
“Told me, ‘Go back to my own country,’ said since we arrived, ‘This place has got so ugly.’ But this is my ******* country, and it’s never been ******* lovely,” lyrics from “We Live Here.”
Sonic Temple added a fourth stage for 2024, making the four-day fest one of the largest rock-n-rock / metal events in the country, all in our backyard.
On the grounds of Historic Crew Stadium, the parking lots turned amphitheaters were all paved, so don’t worry; my LeBron turquois Liverpool crossover shoes didn’t get dirty.
From the Cathedral stage, we entered the stadium itself for Drowning Pool. The lead singer reminded everyone that festival fans and metal heads are in this together, all one big family, followed by a song with a chorus, “I don’t care about anyone else but me.”
“What message is he sending here; I’m confused?” fest attendee and Madison class of ‘96 graduate Dusty Kline, asked.
Following the trend of the post-Korn early 2000s bands, next up was P.O.D. They were still wearing solid red baseball hats and dreads and now had faded tats along with high white shin socks with stripes.
When they played their hit, “Boom!” I kept thinking about how they used that song in the trailer for the Kevin James MMA movie and when he fell through the Octagon, Boom!
Fans in mostly dark clothes synced in band-lead-and-instructed hand waves, back and forth, as everyone sang, “We are, we are, the youth of a nation.”
Back to the Cathedral stage for Nova Twins, and below you can check out the full remote interview I had with them hours before they went onstage.
Combine alt rock with some hip hop and metal, and you’ll get the high energy power ballads of Nova Twins. Although there’s great talent behind the drums, it’s overshadowed by the bass playing of Georgia South and the vocals and guitar-smithing of Amy Love.
In the last year, the crowds and stream numbers have continued to rise, so get on board now with Nova Twins.
Unfortunately, The Chats, with their amazing song “Smoko,” about taking smoke breaks in peace, played at the same time as Nova — so I missed them. It’s Australian punk at it’s finest, check ’em out!
Ahh, festival lines, how does one avoid them while not melting into the concrete?
Luckily, it was sporadically overcast, 75 degrees, no rain, so there were only a couple people that seemed like they were dying of heatstroke or drug overdoses.
But really, the fatigue and heat and crush of people is all part of the experience. That said, we had VIP access and the press suite so we sauntered around a lot and lived in the shade.
One very large guy was so hot he essentially laid down in a puddle.
I sometimes I wish I had the strength to truly do whatever I wanted and not think about those things called consequences — in this case, soaking underwear chafing and riding up the rest of the night.
Theory of a Deadman was in between songs at the Sonic main “temple stage” and its frontman read a sign from the crowd: “I skipped school today; will you sign my poster?”
“Sure, pass the sign up, we’ll sign it.”
And the whole band did.
If Chucky from “Child’s Play” grew up and had a band, it would be Frank Carter & the Rattlesnakes. It’s an aggressive post-punk garage rock from England, and as soon as the set started, Frank jumped down from the stage and into the crowd.
It was one of the scenes trending on Insta from the fest, as he orchestrated a circle pit around him and belted out the opening. That was followed by a crowd surfing handstand before making his way back to the stage.
Carter’s band had a song with Idles frontman Joe Talbot, “Our Town,” and that’s how I first got acquainted with the band.
They played that ballad second and many of us were united under the lyrics of similar small towns, and we don’t give a, ummm, care, about what you think. We’re trying to make it better, get on board or go to hell.
It’s hard to know if Jennifer Garner was in love with me, or me her, in the early 2000s when the first Daredevil movie was released. But I watched that movie tens of times and Evanescence was very much a part of that soundtrack. (Shut up, I liked the movie!)
So, I was waiting for the movie’s hit song, “Bring Me to Life,” when I had to remember festivals are about being present, letting your ears and mind enjoy what’s happening, not what you want to occur.
Judas Priest had been a bucketlist band since my brother Matt would play the tape “Ram it Down” in the early ’90s. That’s when we were kids and yet almost every metal head in the world can still sing, “Breaking the Law” and “You’ve got Another Thing Coming.”
A bevy of overhead lights and a massive Judas Priest cross moving up and down the stage was punctuated by wardrobe changes and great production — as you’d expect from Rob Halford. Have to kinda wonder what it would have been like to see them in the ’80s and ’90s at their peak.
Across the lot, Cypress Hill added a little hip hop to the fest and if you grew up in Ohio in the ’90s, you’ve danced and sang to “Insane in the Brain,” among other hits. The stage was decorated with flowered skulls, Day of the Dead like, and a lot of hopping and bopping heads in the crowd.
Thursday’s headliners were Disturbed and Machine Head, to ensure everyone in attendance got a taste of the classic and clean metal.
Friday is to be headlined with The Misfits and Avatar and you can check out the full lineup here.
Curious about the bands I covered or the ones I missed? Here’s the complete playlist for every band that was scheduled at Sonic Temple on Thursday:
